Seth MacFarlane Addresses 2013 Oscars Quip at Harvey Weinstein

On Wednesday, MacFarlane revealed that the joke was prompted by a friend's story of alleged sexual harassment at the hands of Weinstein. She said she met with the producer in a hotel room in 2011 and he offered her a film role if she would give him a naked massage in bed.

It came hours after actresses Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow claimed Weinstein targeted them early in their careers and he faced bombshell claims he raped three women, including Italian actress Asia Argento.

Barth played Ted's wife Tami-Lynn in the two adult comedies about when a man's (Mark Wahlberg) teddy bear grows up and the duo stay friends into their adult lives.

"Congratulations", MacFarlane said after announcing Best Lead Actress nominations, "you five ladies no longer have to pretend to be attracted to Harvey Weinstein". MacFarlane voiced the bear Ted. Make no mistake, this came from a place of loathing and anger.

"We discussed the possibility of a separation and I encouraged her to do what was in her heart. There is nothing more abhorrent and indefensible than abuse of power such as this".

What was considered to be an edgy comic dig at the time has been replayed in recent days in light of the public airing of sexual harassment and assault allegations, some dating back decades, against Weinstein. Weinstein's lawyer, Charles J. Harder, called the Times report "saturated with false and defamatory statements", and threatened to sue. "Mr. Weinstein has further confirmed that there were never any acts of retaliation against any women for refusing his advances".

He took an opportunity to swing at Weinstein during the most important and well-publicised night in Hollywood, in front of thousands in the crowd and millions at home.

"Over the last week, there has been a lot of pain for my family that I take responsibility for". A request for comment on the status of that potential lawsuit was not immediately returned to ABC News.

Andromeda Heading To EA & Origin Access
Xbox One fans receive the full version of Dead Space 3 along with a trial version of the upcoming console port of The Sims 4 . Top of the pile is Star Wars: Battlefront 2 , followed by a 10-hour pre-launch Play First Trial of Need for Speed: Payback .

GIC IPO subscribed 79% on day one
With the IPO, GIC marks a first for government-run non-life insurance firms to undertake a stake sale and listing process. Ltd, which is under the power ministry, and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and New India Assurance Co.

Alina Sheykhet murder: Ex-boyfriend charged in her death
An ex-boyfriend charged with homicide in the death of a Pitt student was arrested Wednesday in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Captain Crosby said Darby will be extradited back to Pennsylvania, where he'll face criminal homicide charges .